Maya Romanoff Opens Flagship Showroom in Chicago

Store History

Founded:
1969

Founded by:
Maya Romanoff

Headquarters:
Skokie, Illinois

In 1969, textile designer Maya Romanoff started his business selling tie-dyed shirts at Woodstock. Celebrities like Elton John and Roger Daltry wore his clothes, and he got picked up by Henri Bendel. In the 70s, he began experimenting with resist-dyed wall and floor coverings, creating experimental roomscapes for the Smithsonian and the National Gallery in Australia. Fast forward 40 years, and he's still making psychedelic patterns.

Working with his main collaborator and wife, Joyce Romanoff, as well as designers like David Rockwell and Amy Lau, Romanoff's collection feels a little less trippy than it did in the Woodstock days, but it's retained its roots.

The wallcoverings are still very textural and experimental — for instance, the "Abacadazzle" line is made from abaca plant fibers woven with metallic thread, while the "Mother of Pearl" collection is hand-made with inlaid shells. (As you might now have guessed, the prices on these wallcoverings aren't cheap.)

Although Maya Romanoff has been a name in the fabric world for years, it's not until now that the company's opened a flagship showroom in Chicago's Merchandise Mart. The showroom is open to the trade only, but customers can check the online store locator to find a retailer.